Buyouts
Singapore's PE-backed Trax secures US retail tech bolt-on
Trax, a Singapore-based developer of retail computer vision and analytics solutions with several private equity backers, has acquired US-based shopping rewards app developer Shopkick for an undisclosed amount.
IIFL acquires Indian eyecare chain
IIFL Asset Management (IIFL AMC) has acquired a majority stake in Infigo Life Sciences, operator of a chain of eyecare centers in India.
The 20-year review
AVCJ's Japan Forum has been going for two decades, a period during which the industry has embarked on several roller-coaster journeys. For now, though, the market appears to be in good health
Unison buys Japanese hair treatment specialist
Unison Capital has acquired Pyuru, a Japanese producer of hair care and cosmetics products best known for a naturally-derived treatment for graying hair.
Japan secondary buyouts: Between friends
Negative perceptions and local sensitivities have stymied the development of secondary buyouts in Japan. International GPs – plus some of their domestic peers – have the firepower to drive change
Japan's Aspirant leads $223m manufacturing carve-out
Japanese private equity firm Aspirant Group has led the 100% acquisition of a copper tubing subsidiary of diversified industrial manufacturer UACJ Corporation for about JPY24 billion ($223 million).
Revitalizing Japan's conglomerates: Big ticket
Japan’s manufacturing conglomerates are continuing to define the economy as they either adapt or succumb to new technology trends. The process is adding a new ripple to the local carve-out market
Q&A: Ripplewood's Tim Collins
A Ripplewood Holdings-led consortium broke new ground for private equity with the turnaround of Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan. CEO Tim Collins explains why he boldly goes where others fear to tread
Ascendent backs $197m take-private for China Automation
Ascendent Capital Partners has joined Xuan Ruiguo, the chairman and founder of Hong Kong-listed industrial control systems maker China Automation Group, in a take-private offer that values the company at HK$1.5 billion ($197 million).
Baring-owned Hexaware announces $182m US bolt-on
Hexaware Technologies, an Indian IT services company majority-owned by Baring Private Equity Asia, has acquired US-based digital consultancy firm Mobiquity for a total consideration of $182 million.
Vietnam: Entrepreneurial instincts
Vietnam’s private sector is rich in opportunity and many people have ambitions of building the next Mobile World. But engagement between entrepreneurs and private equity doesn’t always run smooth
Advantage buys Japanese niche education businesses
Advantage Partners has acquired two Japan-based education assets – vocational training provider Abitus and Tokyo Central Japanese Language School (TCJ).
Sovereign wealth: Getting creative on co-investment
Sovereign wealth funds are dialing up their direct exposure to technology and healthcare start-ups, but this trend is accompanied by a varied collection of co-investment models
Fund focus: Nexus Point secures $475m for China buyouts
Nexus Point Capital has raised $475 million for middle-market buyouts in Greater China. The team, led by ex-MBK Partners executive K.C. Kung, favors complex solutions over plain vanilla deals
Greater Bay Area: Promise keepers
The Greater Bay Area initiative plans to speed up regional integration in the Pearl River Delta, with Hong Kong set to be a major beneficiary. Questions remain about the government’s ability to follow through
Hillhouse buys whisky producer Loch Lomond Group
Hillhouse Capital has acquired Scotland-based whisky producer Loch Lomond Group with a view to helping the company expand its presence in Asia.
EQT terminates $2.6b Vocus acquisition
EQT infrastructure has abandoned a bid it extended less than two weeks ago to acquire Australian broadband internet provider Vocus Group for about A$3.3 billion ($2.3 billion).
Japan's Polaris to back Panasonic security spin-out
Japan’s Polaris Capital has agreed to back Panasonic i-Pro Sensing Solutions, a spin-out of Panasonic that will take over the parent company’s security systems business in Japan and overseas.
China-US tensions hinder PE fundraising, redraw investment options
Trade tensions between China and the US have held back private equity fundraising in recent months, but industry participants are also considering the long-term challenges – and opportunities – of a schism between the world’s two largest economies.
China GPs target tech angles in consumer plays
All China consumer deals are now technology deals, but investors must back up this positioning with meaningful value-add capabilities in areas such as digital marketing and data analytics or risk being accused of embellishing a technology thesis for the...
EQT Infrastructure offers $2.6b for Australia's Vocus
EQT Infrastructure has offered to acquire all the shares in Australia-listed broadband internet provider Vocus Group in a deal that values the company at about A$3.3 billion ($2.3 billion).
MBK to buy majority stake in Korea's Lotte Card for $1.2b
MBK Partners has agreed to assume majority control of the credit card business of South Korean conglomerate Lotte Corporation in a deal worth KRW1.38 trillion ($1.17 billion).
Adamantem makes $69m bid for Australia's Legend Corp
The board of Australian electrical products manufacturer Legend Corporation has endorsed a takeover bid from Adamantem Capital at an enterprise valuation of A$100.6 million ($69.7 million).
Affirma to buy Korean cosmetics manufacturer
Affirma Capital, a GP established through the spin-out of Standard Chartered’s private equity business, has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in South Korea-based Hwa Sung Cosmetics.